Golf bag with a stable base

ABSTRACT

A golf bag with a base having protrusion forming regions at a first section ranging from 30 to 60 degrees from a reference line, a second section ranging from 120 to 150 degrees from the reference line, a third section ranging from 210 to 240 degrees from the reference line, and a fourth section ranging from 300 to 330 degrees from the reference line. At each of the protrusion forming regions, one or more protrusions are formed to prevent the golf bag from rotating and falling over. A pair of tangents drawn from two of the protrusions in the front-rear direction and a pair of tangents drawn from two of the protrusions in the lateral direction pass outside of a base peripheral edge. Auxiliary protrusions may also be formed on the base at the positions of 90 degrees and 270 degrees from the reference line. All tangents linking the adjacent protrusions and all tangents linking the adjacent protrusion and auxiliary protrusion may pass outside of the base peripheral edge.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of priority under 35 USC 119 based onJapanese Patent Application P2001-341296 filed Nov. 6, 2001, the entirecontents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a golf bag having a particularly stablebase, and more particularly to a golf bag having a base with protrusionsthat correspond to mechanisms by which a golf bag falls over.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A golf bag is formed as a tall structure for accommodating golf clubs,and the weight of the accommodated golf clubs is concentrated at theupper portion of the golf bag. When a golf bag with such a structure isset upright on the ground, it is apt to fall over.

To increase stability, it is considered effective to increase the sizeof the base. The base diameter for a large size golf bag is as wide as10 inches.

A general golf bag is equipped with a grip for carrying the golf bag.Since golf clubs accommodated in the golf bag are composed of a shaftand a head having the center of gravity at a position offset from theshaft axial line, the heads are aligned in a specific direction,projecting in a direction opposite from the grip after carrying it, andthe position of these clubs can exert a force that causes the golf bagto fall down.

Furthermore, golf bags typically are furnished with a front pocket atthe grip side and a back pouch at the opposite side. When these pocketsare filled, especially when the back pouch is filled with articles, thegolf bag becomes even more likely to fall in the opposite direction fromthe grip.

Japanese Laid-open Utility Model No. 62-72672 discloses protrusionsformed near the base on the grip side of the golf bag, but this approachhas been found not to be fully satisfactory.

There also exist bases formed in an elliptical shape having the majorelliptical axis aligned with the grip and the opposite side (hereinaftercalled a front-rear direction as shown in FIG. 2), or a base in a squareshape with smooth curved sides and round corners. Japanese Laid-openUtility Model No. 5-76470 also proposes a rectangular base.

When a base is larger, however, the mass of the base also increases.Although the center of gravity of the golf bag goes down with theincrease of the base mass and the stability is improved, the golf bagitself becomes heavier, thus making it hard to handle. It also becomeshard to handle when a base is formed in a polygonal shape. When theinside diameter of a golf bag base is increased, golf clubs in the bagrest against a top frame of the golf bag on one side with the grip endsof the clubs touching against the inner bottom of the other side of thegolf bag. This increases the inclination of the golf clubs and alsoincreases the force tending to cause the golf bag to fall over.

In summary, golf bags fall over after going through the following steps.

-   -   a. When the golf bag is set up on the ground, golf clubs        accommodated in the golf bag incline toward the rear of the bag,        opposite the grip.    -   b. Due to the inclination of the golf clubs, the golf bag also        inclines in the same front-rear direction as the inclination of        the golf clubs.    -   c. As a result of the inclination of the golf bag, the golf bag        rotates along the base peripheral edge, shifting its direction        of inclination from the front-rear direction to the lateral        direction.    -   d. Due to the inclination of the golf bag in the lateral        direction, the golf club heads move toward in the lateral        direction, toward the side of the bag resulting in the        inclination of the golf clubs in the lateral direction.    -   e. Due to the lateral inclination of the golf clubs, the lateral        inclination of the golf bag increases further.

Because partitions at the top of the bag run side to side, as shown inFIG. 2, which illustrates such partitions 36, the golf bag becomesunstable dynamically like a shift of cargo when rotation of the golfbags begins at step c because the clubs readily shift to one side.

Because of this, although the arrangement of protrusions as shown inFIG. 3 or FIG. 4 proposed in Japanese Laid-open Utility Model No.62-72672 is less likely to make the golf bag fall in the frontdirection, the forward inclination is followed by rotation, whichinstead promotes inclination of the clubs in the lateral direction andmakes the golf bag more likely to fall over. The same thing happens withan elliptical base having the major axis in the front-rear direction ora square base with curved sides and round corners. When the protrusionsare disposed as shown in FIG. 5, the bag becomes unlikely to fall in thefront direction, but since there is no structure to improve thestability in the lateral direction toward which the bag is likely tofall, and since there is no rotation-preventing structure, falling isnot adequately prevented.

The rectangular base disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Utility Model No.5-76470 is designed such that the inclination in the front-reardirection is not transferred to the lateral direction. While it can beexpected to have a preventive effect of rotation of a golf bag, thestructure is narrow in the lateral direction in order to save space, andtherefore, stability in the lateral direction is not necessarilyimproved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The golf bag of the present invention solves the above mentionedproblems of the prior art, and provides a golf bag that is less likelyto fall over without increasing its mass or dimensions, by providingprotrusions at the base portion, which prevent rotation of the golf bagand improve its dynamic stability. As used herein, “protrusion” meansthe entire portion protruded from the plate-like base in the downwardand radial directions.

In accordance with the invention, these objects are accomplished byproviding a golf bag having a base with protrusion forming regions at afirst section ranging from 30 to 60 degrees from a reference line, asecond section ranging from 120 to 150 degrees from the reference line,a third section ranging from 210 to 240 degrees from the reference line,and a fourth section ranging from 300 to 330 degrees from the referenceline, and having one or more protrusions formed at each of theprotrusion forming regions.

As used herein, “a reference line” means a line passing through thecenter of the base and a point on the base peripheral edge that isclosest to a grip of the golf bag.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least a pair of tangentsdrawn from one of the protrusions in the front-rear direction and atleast a pair of tangents drawn from one of the protrusions in thelateral direction pass outside of the base peripheral edge.

As used herein, “a pair of tangents” means, for example, two front-reartangents 11 at the right side and left side of the base as shown in FIG.7. However, it is not necessary that positions of the tangents besymmetrical.

In a preferred embodiment, the protruding length of the protrusion fromthe base peripheral edge may be from 10 mm to 50 mm.

The present invention also provides a golf bag having a base withprotrusion forming regions at a first section ranging from 30 to 60degrees from the reference line, a second section ranging from 120 to150 degrees from the reference line, a third section ranging from 210 to240 degrees from the reference line, and a fourth section ranging from300 to 330 degrees from the reference line, and having one or moreprotrusions formed at each of the protrusion forming region, in which atangent drawn from one of the protrusions in the lateral directionpasses outside of a base peripheral edge, and an auxiliary protrusion isformed at the positions of 90 degrees and 270 degrees from the referenceline.

In a preferred embodiment, the protruding length of the protrusion fromthe base peripheral edge may be from 10 mm to 50 mm.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the protruding length of theauxiliary protrusion from the base peripheral edge is from 8 mm to 20mm, and the auxiliary protrusion is shorter than the principalprotrusions.

In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, all tangents linkingthe adjacent protrusions pass outside of a base peripheral edge. Also,all tangents linking the adjacent protrusions and all tangents linkingthe adjacent protrusion and auxiliary protrusion pass outside of thebase peripheral edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a side view of a conventional golf bag shown without a hood.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the conventional bag shown in FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a conventional golf bag basehaving a protrusion.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of another conventional golfbag base having a protrusion.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of yet another conventionalgolf bag base having two protrusions.

FIG. 6 is a graphic chart of test results showing the relation betweenthe length of the protrusions and the number of times that a golf bagfell.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a golf bag base according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a golf bag base according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a golf bag base according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a golf bag base according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a golf bag base according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of a golf bag base according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a golf bag base according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of a golf bag base according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below.

The golf bag of the present invention is provided with a base havingprotrusion forming regions 5 at a first section 21 ranging from 30 to 60degrees from a reference line R, a second section 22 ranging from 120 to150 degrees from the reference line, a third section 23 ranging from 210to 240 degrees from the reference line, and a fourth section 24 rangingfrom 300 to 330 degrees from the reference line, and one or moreprotrusions 2 are formed at each of the protrusion forming region. Thereference line R is a line passing through the center 4 of the base anda point 10 on a base peripheral edge 6 that is closest to a grip 32 ofthe golf bag 31. The angles are measured counterclockwise from the point10, which is designated as 0 degree. A protrusion forming position isthe point on the base peripheral edge 6 intersected by a line linkingthe graphic center 8 of the protrusion and the center 4 of the base.

Inclination of a golf bag often starts in the front-rear direction asshown in FIG. 2 depending on the grip position and the configuration ofa front pocket and a back pouch. However, the golf bag usually fallsover after it rotates along the base peripheral edge 6 and itsinclination is transferred to the inclination in the lateral directionwhich is dynamically unstable. Therefore, preventing the rotation of thegolf bag can also prevent it from falling down.

Furthermore, a pair or plural pairs of tangents 11 drawn from theprotrusions 2 in the front-rear direction and a pair or plural pairs oftangents 12 drawn from the protrusions 2 in the lateral direction arearranged such that they pass outside of the base peripheral edge 6.

As long as slipping does not occur between the base 1 and the ground,stability against inclination depends on a minimum diameter of the base1. Since the height of the center of gravity and the inclination of golfclubs contained in the bag do not change, stability of a golf bagincreases when the minimum diameter of the base 1 increases. Therefore,the stability can be increased by making the distance from the basecenter 4 to the outermost portion of the protrusions 2 longer than thedistance from the base center 4 to the base peripheral edge 6 in thefront-rear direction in which leaning is initiated and in the lateraldirection which is unstable dynamically.

It is preferable that the protrusions 2 protrude a distance L 10 mm to50 mm from the base peripheral edge 6.

FIG. 6 shows results of golf bag falling or tumbling tests, using a golfbag accommodating a full set of golf clubs and ten golf balls in a frontpocket 34. The first wood and the third wood to the fifth wood, a totalof four woods were arbitrarily put in a grip side compartment, thefourth iron to the eighth iron were put in a central compartment, andthe ninth iron, three wedges and the putter were put in a compartment onan opposite side from the grip. The golf bag was shaken by holding thegrip, and was set up on the ground, and then was inclined by 8 degreesaway from the grip, and the number of times that the golf bag fell downwas counted. This test for each golf bag was repeated 50 times.

In the experiment, a base having a diameter of 215 mm was used, andcircular protrusions of different diameters separate body from the basewere formed at the positions of 45 degrees, 135 degrees, 225 degrees,and 315 degrees from the reference line R.

In the test results, A denotes the number of times that a golf bag fellin the front-rear direction, and B denotes the number of times that agolf bag rotated along the base and fell down in the lateral direction.

From the test results, it can be seen that unless the protruding lengthL of the protrusion from the base peripheral edge is at least 10 mm, therotary motion of the golf bag causes the golf bag to fall in the lateraldirection. Thus, a longer protruding length L improves stability.However, if protruding length L is too long, the golf bag becomes hardto handle or carry. From the test results, the benefit of theprotrusions do not increase when the length L exceeds 50 mm, and henceit can be seen that the maximum length of 50 mm is sufficient.

Although the rotation preventive effect varies depending on the shape ofa protrusion, the circular protrusion used in this experiment is theleast effective. The circular protrusion, however, is a preferableembodiment for practical reasons, since it does not easily get caughtaccidentally and is easy to handle. Therefore, it can be said that ifprotruding length L is within this length range, there is sufficientrotation prevention regardless of the shape of protrusion.

A similar experiment was conducted by using a base of 230 mm in diameterwith no protrusions. When comparing a base of 215 mm in diameter havingprotrusions of 10 mm in length formed on the base and the base of 230 mmin diameter with no protrusions, the distance from the base center 4 isapproximately the same, about 115 mm in both cases, but the base of 215mm in diameter having protrusions was found to be less likely to fallthan the base of 230 mm in diameter with no protrusions.

In another embodiment, protrusions 2 at the protrusion forming regions 5contribute to the improvement in the stability against inclination ofthe golf bag in the front-rear direction and contribute to theprevention of rotation, while auxiliary protrusions 3 are responsiblefor the improvement of the stability in the lateral direction. In orderto make each pair of tangents 11 drawn from the protrusion in thefront-rear direction and each pair of tangents 12 drawn from theprotrusion in the lateral direction pass outside of the base peripheraledge 6 when just one protrusion is formed at each of the protrusionforming region as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the protrudinglength L of 45 mm is necessary for a base of 215 mm in diameter. As themass of the protrusion is increased, the base becomes heavier. However,by dividing the stabilizing elements into protrusions 2 and auxiliaryprotrusions 3, it becomes possible to decrease the dimension of eachprotrusion, reducing the increase of the mass, and safety in carryingthe golf bag can also be enhanced.

In this case, too, it is preferred that the protruding length of theprotrusion 2 is from 10 mm or more to 50 mm or less from the baseperipheral edge 6. Furthermore, although the position of the auxiliaryprotrusion 3 is most preferably at 90 degrees and 270 degrees from thereference line, the same effect can be obtained as long as the auxiliaryprotrusions are the ones that protrude most in the lateral direction.

When an external force acts on a golf bag, inclination may be initiatedin a direction other than the front-rear direction or the lateraldirection. In such a case, if a tangent 13 linking the adjacentprotrusion 2 and auxiliary protrusion 3 intersects with the baseperipheral edge 6 with one intersection, or with two intersections, itis thought that the area of the intersection or the area between suchtwo intersections becomes the area that is dynamically unstable, and thegolf bag falls after rotating up to the intersection. Accordingly, bymaking the tangent 13 linking the adjacent protrusion and auxiliaryprotrusion pass outside of the base peripheral edge 6, stability can beimproved further.

To realize such a configuration, the protruding length l of theauxiliary protrusion should be enough if it is at least 8 mm, althoughit also depends on the length of the protrusion 2.

When playing golf, generally four golf bags are mounted on a golf cart.Taking into consideration the space for bags on a golf cart, in order tomount four golf bags, the protruding length l of the auxiliaryprotrusions should be kept within 20 mm.

Furthermore, similar stability can be achieved by making all thetangents 14 linking the adjacent protrusions pass outside of the baseperipheral edge 6, or by making all the tangents 14 linking the adjacentprotrusions and all the tangents 13 linking the adjacent protrusion andauxiliary protrusion pass through outside of the base peripheral edge 6.

In practicing the invention, the protrusions 2 and auxiliary protrusions3 may be formed integrally with the base, or separately formedprotruding parts may be attached to the base 1. If the protrusions 2 andauxiliary protrusions 3 are formed as hollow parts, less weight is addedand the bag weight can be reduced.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, FIG. 7 shows an embodimentin which circular protrusions 2 are formed at the positions of 45degrees, 135 degrees, 225 degrees, and 315 degrees from the referenceline R that connects the center 4 of the base and the point 10 on thebase peripheral edge, which are the median values in the protrusionforming regions 5 of the first section to the fourth section.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which protrusions 2 are formed atpositions of 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 120 degrees, 150 degrees, 210degrees, 240 degrees, 300 degrees and 330 degrees from the referenceline, and tangents 14 linking the adjacent protrusions are formed topass outside of the base periphery edge 6.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which protrusions 2 for preventingrotation are formed at the positions of 30 degrees, 150 degrees, 210degrees, and 330 degrees counterclockwise from the reference line, andauxiliary protrusions 3 for enhancing the stability in the lateraldirection are formed at the positions of 90 degrees and 270 degrees fromthe reference line.

Since the tangent 13 of the adjacent protrusion 2 and auxiliaryprotrusion 3 passes outside of the base peripheral edge 6 in theembodiment of FIG. 9, regardless of the direction of inclination of thegolf bag, rotary motion can be prevented and the stability is furtherenhanced. The stability can be further improved if protrusions 2 or 3are sloped so that their portions most remote from the bag may contactwith the ground more firmly than other portions.

FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment in which protrusions 2 for preventingrotation are formed at the positions of 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 120degrees, 150 degrees, 210 degrees, 240 degrees, 300 degrees and 330degrees counterclockwise from the reference line, and auxiliaryprotrusions 3 for enhancing the stability in the lateral direction areformed at the positions of 90 degrees and 270 degrees from the referenceline.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment in which all the tangents 14 linking theadjacent protrusions and all the tangents 13 linking an adjacentprotrusion and an auxiliary protrusion pass outside of the baseperipheral edge 6. By providing such protrusions 2 and 3, rotation canbe stopped regardless of which direction the golf bag is inclined, andstability can be enhanced without increasing the weight compared to thebase having a polygonal shape.

In the above mentioned embodiments, the shape and configuration of theprotrusions 2 and auxiliary protrusions 3 are symmetrical. Even if thepositions of the protrusions 2 and auxiliary protrusions 3 areirregular, however, similar stability can be achieved by arrangementsuch that a pair of tangents 11 in the front-rear direction, a pair oftangents 12 in the lateral direction, and tangents 13 of the adjacentprotrusion and auxiliary protrusion pass outside of the base peripheraledge 6.

For example, FIG. 12 shows an embodiment having an asymmetricconfiguration in which at the first section, a small protrusion 2-a isformed at the position of 30 degrees, and a large protrusion 2-b isformed at the position of 60 degrees; at the second section, a largeprotrusion 2-b is formed at the position of 150 degrees; at the thirdsection, a large protrusion 2-b is formed at the position of 210degrees, and a small protrusion is formed at the position of 240degrees, and at the fourth section, a large protrusion 2-b is formed atthe position of 330 degrees, and auxiliary protrusions 3 are formed atthe positions of 90 degrees and 270 degrees. As long as the tangents 12drawn from one of the protrusions 2 in the lateral direction and thetangents 11 drawn from the auxiliary protrusions 3 in the front-reardirection pass outside of the base peripheral edge 6, the stability canbe assured.

While the shape of the protrusions 2 and auxiliary protrusions 3 iscircular in the embodiments, in order to enhance the rotation preventiveeffect, they may be formed in any arbitrary shape, including rectangularor elliptical shape, isosceles triangle or scalene triangle, isoscelestrapezoid or scalene trapezoid, and other arbitrary polygonal shapes.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment in which the shape of the protrusions 2 is ascalene triangle shape. The protrusions 2 in this embodiment are thefour individual parts to which hatching is applied along a concentriccircle, and a protrusion forming position 7 is an intersection of thebase peripheral line 6 and a line 9 connecting the graphical center 8 ofthe protrusion 2 and the center 4 of the base. The protrusions 2 andauxiliary protrusions 3 are formed such that the tangents 12 drawn fromthe protrusions 2 in the lateral direction and the tangents 13 drawnfrom the auxiliary protrusions 3 in the front-rear direction passoutside of the base peripheral edge 6.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment in which two protrusions 2 are formed ateach of the second and the third sections that are most remote from thegrip and are at the side toward which a golf bag is most likely to fall,and one protrusion 2 is formed at each of the first and the fourthsections that are closer to the grip, and auxiliary protrusions 3 areformed at the positions of 90 degrees and 270 degrees. In thisembodiment, the protrusions 2 and auxiliary protrusions 3 are formedsuch that all the tangents 14 linking the adjacent protrusions 2 and allthe tangents 13 linking the adjacent protrusion 2 and auxiliaryprotrusion 3 pass outside of the base periphery edge 6.

As described above, the golf bag of this invention can prevent rotationin such a way that the inclination in the front-rear direction which isapt to occur may not be transferred to a dynamically unstableinclination in the lateral direction, and therefore, the stability ofthe golf bag is enhanced.

Furthermore, since a tangent drawn between one of the protrusions in thefront-rear direction and lateral direction is designed to pass outsideof the base peripheral edge, the ability of the golf bag to resistfalling caused by an external force can be improved.

Since the stability of the golf bag is improved more than when thediameter of the circular base is merely increased, a golf bag can beproduced in a compact design without increasing mass or dimensions.Moreover, the amount of synthetic resin used as a main material of thebase can be reduced, minimizing the environmental effects.

Since the bag base of this invention has a rotation preventive function,a bag with this base can be handled and carried stably when mounted on agolf cart or the like.

1. A golf bag, comprising: a base (1) having protrusion forming regions(5) at a first section (21) ranging from 30 to 60 degrees from areference line, a second section (22) ranging from 120 to 150 degreesfrom the reference line, a third section (23) ranging from 210 to 240degrees from the reference line, and a fourth section (24) ranging from300 to 330 degrees from the reference line; at least one protrusion (2)formed within each of the protrusion forming regions and having aprotruding length; and an auxiliary protrusion (3) formed on the basebetween the first and second sections of the protrusion forming regionsand another auxiliary protrusion on the base between the third andfourth sections of the protrusion forming regions to support the golfbag in a direction perpendicular to the reference line, the auxiliaryprotrusions having a protruding length shorter than the protrudinglength of the at least one protrusion within one of the protrusionforming regions.
 2. The golf bag according to claim 1, wherein at leasta pair of tangents (11) drawn from the protrusions (2) in the front-reardirection and at least a pair of tangents (12)) drawn from theprotrusions (2) in the lateral direction pass outside of a baseperipheral edge (6).
 3. The golf bag according to claim 1, wherein theprotruding length (L) of the protrusion (2) from a base peripheral edge(6) is from 10 mm to 50 mm.
 4. The golf bag according to claim 2,wherein the protruding length (L) of the protrusion (2) from the baseperipheral edge (6) is from 10 mm to 50 mm. 5-8. (canceled)
 9. The golfbag according to claim 1, wherein all tangents (14) linking adjacentprotrusions (2) or auxiliary protrusions pass outside of a baseperipheral edge (6).
 10. The golf bag according to claim 2, wherein alltangents (14) linking adjacent protrusions (2) or auxiliary protrusionspass outside of the base peripheral edge (6).
 11. The golf bag accordingto claim 3, wherein all tangents (14) linking adjacent protrusions (2)or auxiliary protrusions pass outside of the base peripheral edge (6).12. The golf bag according to claim 4, wherein all tangents (14) linkingadjacent protrusions (2) or auxiliary protrusions pass outside of thebase peripheral edge (6). 13-16. (canceled)
 17. The golf bag accordingto claim 1, wherein the reference line is a line passing through thecenter of the base and a point on a base peripheral edge that is closestto a grip of the golf bag.
 18. The golf bag according to claim 1,wherein the protruding length of the auxiliary protrusions is radiallyshorter than the protruding length of the at least one protrusion withinone of the protrusion forming regions.